Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Breakfast for dinner is always a good idea. My personal favorite: egg burritos. I start with a whole wheat tortilla and warm it on the open flame of the gas stove, just until the edges get a little crispy. Next, scramble 2 eggs with white cheddar cheese & chopped onions (other great toppings: tomatoes, red and green peppers, mushrooms). Smash up half of an avocado with a fork and spread it across the toasted tortilla. Add egg mixture to the middle of the tortilla, sprinkle with salt/pepper and drizzle with Cholula. Roll it up and enjoy this quick & easy meal any time of day.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Print Mixing 101: floral & stripes are a classic combo and the easiest way to try out the trend if you're pattern-challenged. Tip-toe into print mixing by pairing stripes and florals that share a similar color palette (like black and white in this case) and keep the rest of the outfit simple. I added this bright yellow bucket bag for a punch of color that screams summer. With temps around 90 the last few weeks, I want to wear easy, breezy outfits like this at all times.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

When it comes to weeknight dinners, I'm all about a meal that is healthy and easy to throw together. This baked pesto salmon has become a favorite and the veggie/fish pairings are endless (I also love tilapia with lemon, garlic & basil and zucchini). Layer all the ingredients on foil, starting with raw veggies for the base, followed by fish drizzled with olive oil & sea salt, then top with your sauce of choice. Loosely wrap up everything in the foil and bake at 400 degrees for about 18-23 minutes. The result is a flavorful, well-rounded dinner! P.S this is also a great meal to cook for one!

Friday, May 20, 2016

Although I identify more as a shoe girl, bags are a close second in my heart & closet. I picked up my fair share of bucket bags in the last couple years (seen here, here, here, aaaand here), but I'm totally falling for the new saddle bag trend that is coming back in style. I scored this studded saddle bag from Forever 21, which is the best Chloe "Hudson" dupe out there - and it's only $28!!! I'm obsessed with the cream color for spring and summer, but this bag also comes in black & cognac. It's the perfect size to hold all of my essentials (phone, keys, credit card, sunnies, lipstick). It has a classic structured shape, but the little leather tassel and gold studs add the boho vibe that I always love. Check out some other great saddle bags here!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

For my third and final look with Tobi, I'm sharing this little ruffled romper (just $29 since you get 50% off your first purchase!) I fell in love with this romper the second I saw it! The cutout detail gives the illusion of a two-piece set, and the rust color is gorgeous for all seasons. Rompers are great for many occasions so I styled this one 2 ways for day & night. Layering a printed airy kimono over it gives a boho touch - perfect for brunch or a festival. For night, add some edge with a leather jacket, suede ankle booties & DIY choker. Which look is your favorite?

Thursday, May 12, 2016

It's not secret that lipstick is my favorite beauty product. I've shared my all-time favorite colors here, but I had yet to find the perfect coral. They are usually either too orange or too pink, but I finally found the perfect balanced shade - Maybelline "Coral Burst". The formula is creamy with a light shine and subtle vanilla scent. It goes on pretty sheer, with one swipe looking more natural like I just ate a popsicle, but it's buildable, with two coats being the punch of color I love! Coral Burst has become my daily default lipstick and I've worn it several times on the blog (here, here & here). What's your go-to lipstick shade in the summer?

{P.S. How gorgeous is this orchid?! The blooms are the size of my hand!}

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

This past weekend was as close to perfect as it gets. Between a belated Cinco de Mayo fiesta on Saturday and celebrating Mother's Day, it was an amazing couple days spent with some of my favorite people. The weather was ideal - 80 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. We spent both days lounging in the pool, drinking margaritas, and eating a ton of delicious festive food.

For dinner Sunday night, we made coconut-crusted mahi and grilled kabobs with shrimp & pineapple. My sister made this mango pineapple habanero salsa for the fish but I wound up eating it on literally everything! The first taste is sweet, then you get a kick from the peppers - it's crazy addictive! I immediately asked Whitney for the recipe to share!

Directions
Chop mango, pineapple, pepper, tomato & onion. Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse 3-5 times, depending on how chunky you want it. Enjoy with everything from tortilla chips, seafood, chicken, rice, topping on a burger, I could go on and on...

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Wearing three of my favorite trends for this look: suede, off-the-shoulder & bell-sleeves. Seriously can't get enough of this suede skirt with button snaps from Tobi! Dare I say it's my new favorite piece in my closet! I didn't even realize how versatile this skirt is, but it's quickly becoming a staple in my wardrobe. I've thought of about a million ways to wear it - striped button down & leopard booties, lace crop top & fringe flats, bodysuit & strappy sandals, then with tights & a turtleneck in the fall...the options are endless!

As always, Tobi offers 50% off your first purchase for new customers! Check out some of my favorites (jumpsuits, skirts, midi dresses) and catch the first outfit from our partnership here!

Monday, May 2, 2016

As a child coloring was one of my favorite hobbies, so I was pretty pumped when adult coloring books starting popping up everywhere (Target, Michaels, Amazon). I find it so therapeutic to pick up my mandala coloring book, even if only for a few minutes during some downtime. Coloring strikes that perfect balance of being a mindless, calming activity, while also channeling my creative energy. It has become a nostalgic way to unwind and relieve stress. Have you gotten into the coloring craze?

Meet MC

• • • Welcome to MC Squared • • • This blog is my creative outlet for everything that inspires me from fashion trends & style to recipes and memories. Thank you so much for visiting and following along! Inquiries for MC Squared contact: meghanconard@gmail.com ♥